13:00 Ageo Medics v Hisamitsu Springs ... 1–3
13:00 NEC Red Rockets v JT Marvelous ... 1–3
15:00 Denso Airybees v Toyota Body Queens ... 3–0
15:00 Hitachi Rivale v Toray Arrows ... 1–3
The big good news is that Body Queen Captain Saori Takahashi has returned to the lineup. Didn't see that coming. She brought decent reception with her and 10 points. The team played well overall, but it wasn't enough. Denso is playing too good behind Nabaya. 20 points and solid reception for her--and she clearly has the Flu, or something. She looked awful. Wrapped in a parka honkin her snozz during timeouts
Neriman is still beautiful and lots of fun. She had a couple great blocks and 24 kills. Entertaining match! Denso's won four of their last five, and move into third place. Toyota has lost five straight, drops to fourth.
JT put the clampers on NEC. Mihajlović was 8/11 flying in from the back. My new friend, pipsqueak MB Aika Akutagawa had 7 kills and 5 blocks!
She even indulged in a little serve reception and lots of floor defense. Bravo. Kanasugi is still napping. Okumura is still rocking. Don't know what's ailing NEC but if Koga lets the team slip to the challenge league she better watch her back when it comes time for the NT roster. NEC let OH youngster Nanami Hirose have a chance. She did okay--23/49 kills and three blocks/three service errors. My kingdom for an OUMI.
Toray got the better of Hitachi only because Horikawa is playing like a monster, 26 kills, 3 blocks, but that's not the story. When you see her on court you know who's in charge. Lovely work.
Hisamitsu remains undefeated. Yawn. For all you Iwasaka haters -- 9 kills, 4 blocks. Ageo's only chance is to get rid of Carcaces. She can take her 29/77 swings and 5 service errors and go home. There's no team there.